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They come, they clap, they screamand holler. They are an integral part ofmost athletic contests."They" are known as fans andHardi ng teams are supported by someof the most enthusiastic fansanywhere.Larry Sm ith, sports informationdirector at UA-Monticello, has saidthat "the students of Harding arecertainly the most unified of any I haveever seen or been associated with sinceI became involved in athletics."Fans come in all ages and sizes, fromthe faculty members to the freshmenand from townsfolk to little chi ldren.They come singly but often in couplesas games provide excellent datingopportunities.Football games are attended in masswith the band and cheerleadershelping everyone to get in the act.Crowd support has perhaps its mostinfluence in basketball as it can erasethe visiti ng team's concentration whileproviding the needed support for theBisons during a crucial moment.Perhaps the strongest fans are thoseof the intramural variety. Sister clubsencourage brother clubs and viceversa. Large crowds come out for thechampionships and · root for theirfavorites.Maybe their reward is in participation;in feeling a part. Whatevertheir reward, they rejoice in victoryand hold their heads high in defeat.Without fans, what would an athleticcontest be?1. A BASKETBALL GAME provides an idealdating occasion for Barbara Fisher and MitchDurham.2. EXCITED after a first down, the crowd at theOuachita football game rises to their feet.3. A VARIETY OF EMOTIONS can be seen at anintramural game as Mark Brasher, LandraBuchanan, Mike Norwood and Sherry Noblindemonstrate during the Theta Tau-King's.\'\en (­team volleyball championship game.4. FACULTY MEMBERS are some of Harding'smost loyal fans. Here, Psychology professor LewMoore and his little boy watch the basketballgame with East Texas Baptist College.Fans • 181